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Cambria board authorizes emergency repairs to Santa Rosa Creek bank to protect sewer trunk line
Summary
Following damage in the 2023 storms, the board approved a Santa Rosa Creek streambank repair and enhancement project to protect a sewer trunk line and trail access; staff said permitting is the biggest time hurdle and will follow with an RFP and stakeholder outreach.
The Cambria Community Services District board on Feb. 12 approved moving forward with an emergency streambank repair and enhancement project along Santa Rosa Creek after staff described a section of bank that eroded during the March 2023 storms and now threatens a major sewer trunk line.
Utilities Manager Green told the board the bank retreated as much as 10–15 feet at the damaged section and said the immediate construction is relatively small in scope but the permitting and environmental review will be the most time‑consuming elements. “We’re really about one good storm away,” he told the board, urging that the district pursue emergency permitting and design work so that construction can proceed when permits are granted.
General Manager McElhaney said the failure occurred where a 2001 repair ends and that the district has identified both short‑term emergency repair measures and a longer reach of 150–350 feet of reinforcement to reduce recurrence. He and utilities staff recommended issuing an RFP for design and permitting and conducting stakeholder outreach with adjacent agencies and resource groups.
Board members emphasized speed and the potential consequences of a damaged sewer trunk. Director Scott moved to approve the project and authorize staff to begin the RFP and outreach; Director Gray seconded and the roll call recorded unanimous approval. Staff said the consultant Stairwell Consulting estimated a next‑phase assistance fee around $606,800 for the design/permitting phase, and that full construction costs will be estimated after the engineering and environmental work and returned to the board for further approvals.
Green said the district had already undertaken minor debris removal and preliminary mitigation and obtained letters of support from partners; he advised the board that many stakeholders will be involved in the permitting process and that that work will likely take about a year before construction could start.
The board’s action directs staff to proceed with stakeholder engagement, RFP release and initial design/permitting steps; staff will return with cost estimates and a recommended contract for the design phase.
